Although Carl Hayden Community High School has started off the football season with an 0-6 record, there have been some encouraging aspects to the campaign.

Two of the most important players on the team this season both reside in Carl Hayden’s backfield, with the combo of senior running backs Eric Baeza and Fernando Becerra.

Baeza and Becerra have formed a treacherous duo in the run game. Combined, they’ve gained more than 70% of the Falcons’ total yards from scrimmage this season.

Baeza is technically the No. 1 option in the running game, having accumulated 99 carries for 494 yards and a team-high five touchdowns through six games.

“It takes everyone else working hard for me to play well,” said Baeza. “My teammates do a great job to create holes for me or to take pressure off me by running well like Fernando.”

Baeza is as humble as they come, and won’t take all the credit even though he’s had a huge impact on the Falcons' success this season. Even though they haven’t been able to win a game, Baeza says that this season has been one to remember for him and his teammates.

“We only have 26 guys on the roster, because some quit or weren’t eligible,” Baeza said. “The remaining players have stuck together and it’s a strong bond we have.

Baeza’s counterpart in the backfield is just as worthy of praise for the job he’s done thus far in the season.

Fernando Becerra is a senior running back as well for Carl Hayden, standing 5-foot-9 and weighing in at well over 200 pounds. Becerra is the power back to compliment Baeza’s speed to the outside.

Becerra has found plenty of success in his own right this year, piling up 521 rushing yards on 78 carries while scoring once.

When teams are faced with the task of stopping Baeza on outside sweeps and stretch plays, they often load the outside edge and try to build a wall.

This has opened up running lanes for Becerra through the middle of the field, which is where he finds most of his success. He averages 6.7 yards each time he touches the ball.

Not only are Baeza and Becerra prolific runners while on the football field, they also show tremendous leadership qualities to their teammates off of it.

Carl Hayden junior quarterback Justis Delgado says that both his running backs have helped him to get comfortable in the offense and do the best job he can.

“Those guys are the best,” Delgado said. “As a younger guy, I need some support sometimes when things aren’t going well and they’re always there to pick me up.”

Both players are part of a group of only nine seniors on the team. They recognize that their role as upperclassmen is to motivate their teammates and set an example.

“I feel the responsibility to always do the right thing,” Becerra said. “I know that the younger guys are watching me and emulating what I do.”

Regardless of what digit rests in the win column for Carl Hayden, they’re fortunate to have two outstanding runners in their backfield and leaders in their huddle.